DEATH OP MR JOHN WHITE.

The late hour at whish the death of Mr John White reached us on Monday even ing, prevented us giving a : more lengthened obituary notice than the mere mention of the fact of his death. With the deepest sorrow and .regret we now revert to the circumstance at greater length. A regret, and sorrow' thai will .be ' fully felt and participated in, riot only amongst this community, but by all to whom John White was known. His death occurred on

Monday night about ten o'clock. He was perfectly conscious that bis end was [.close at hand, and gave directions for that to be done which he could not on the morrow direct. When Mr Wbiterwas -£rst taken ill, some four or five weeks" ago, so rapid was the advance of bis' aTseis'e that he was soon deemed past medical aid, and though he had the uninterrupted attendance of Dr Dermott throughout his illness, his death was about three weeks ago loosed upon as only a question of minutes. To the surprise of all h!e rallied,' was able to sit, up, and do justice to substantial food. Then came a relapse, wuen lie sunk gradually and died. Mr John White was born in England, and was a,bout forty-two^ears ; of age at the time of his decease. He came out to the Colonies as- purser of brie of the Panama boats. The directors soon perceiving his business capacity and integrity, appointed him agent at Hokitika for the line, which^appojntment he r.e.ained until the collapse of the company in 1867. During the time b<? Mr White's agency, he wrote several letters to the local press which caused much attention. The public became aware, that a writer" of no mean order was among them. Mr Whfie having alwavjs', ."i^ned* his name to his letters he was at oincejbrced int» notoriety, and, by no seeking of his own, he was elected member of the Borough Council. In the discharge of his duties a 9 Councillor, ; he gave evidence of possessing abilities that would be better utilised in a higher place, designing us Councillor, he was elected mem- ; ber of the County Council in 1869, in room of Mr Button,, And it need not be said that his career in that body fully bore out the. anticipations of his supporters. Mr White! was also elected member of the House of Repre<entativps for the Waimea district, for the sessions' 1870— 1875, a ! nd proved himself on able, attentive, and- earnest; advocate, not only of his constituents' 1 interests, but of those that were of greater' extent aud of colonial importance.. Hej was always listened to with niarkudi attention in the. House, and however! opponents uug'ut uiffer from him, his;

evident earnestness and conscientiousness always commanded respect and approval. On the inauguration oK t^estland as a Province, he was Selected member of the Provincial Council, and was alsi) elected Speaker f bt tag same by thit bodjf: Subsequedtly ttiji Gbuncil determined on appointing ai. Executive, .M Mr White was asked to ffccep't tbi poaitioa of Provincial Secretary, whicß fee" accepted, iSi!gaiSg.JiSi!ffiffi^f.Sߣft^sr. tgre he made a mistake, as the first Executive had but a short political life. <^Eof th> chief arguments then used against Mr White's occupancy of the office was the anomaly of a member of the House of Representatives holding a position that required local residence. Mr A'hjte, with his colleagues) was ousted from office a week or two after being appointed, aad at the prorogation of the Council, and rafter the . next sitting of the Assembly in i 875, he may be said to have retired from public life; He then determined to direct his .attention once more to his business, and for sbine time he had: been agent of the Anchor Line of steamers,- and was working into a fair b.usinessjotherwise; $* Commission, Agent. Mr .White had well earned the Resignation he obtained of " jHo'ne'st , John'.", "Well educated, endowed with considerable talent, a 'most ..capable man,, both as a writer and speaker; energetic arid earnest id everything he set abimt, unswerving iv principle, indifferent to popularity,' but Acutely sensitLvetom^repiesentatio'i.Qr mistrust. . Of a nature the most charitable in the widest sense of .the word j no one ever heard evil of another from His lips, or a hrirsh judgment from his tohgiiel A hard irad vehement opponent, but devoid of fadCour or malice, a stdnnch and warm friend atid supodrter; but just and discriminating, and difference of creed, either political or religiou-t, could not prevent men of all classes, liking and respecting - him. Mr White affords us one of the few instances that come before us of one, who sacrifices his private interests for the public weal. Had he with his reputation, business capaqrtjv:,;;-/ and , unflagging ."suefgy; \bjlt devoted y^lf the time to bis owu affairs th;*t; neVnaß given to public DaattierSj it is almost "certain he would ri&w' be with lisV a^- hSle and well-to-db maa: To iotaha extent Mr White was constitutionally unfitted for public life; tfeing of a nature over keenly sensitive. The sttpw of every pigmy who attacked Mia was a lance in his side, and those \sho could not defeat him in debate, had a ready revenge in imputing to him unworthy and personal motives; How just such imputations were; his straitened circumstances and untimely end bear witness. As in all, goodness and faults were found in Kirn, but, as not in all, the good far outweighed his faults. When for widow or orphan the voice of Charity called, his voice was ever heardjin.answer. And now she that is his wile no more, jiears tbe ech) of that voice in the aching ivojd of her heart. The Spartan. ,moiher looking on her dead son, featd-^-' Sparta! Math' yet as good as he." We feel as if we had no such consolation, Long live his memory.